Information processing apparatus and method of manufacturing information processing apparatus

ABSTRACT

There is provided an information processing apparatus, including: a display unit including a display area, the display area being configured to display an image; and a touchscreen unit including a facing area and an outer area, the facing area facing the display area, the outer area being outside of the facing area. An area of the touchscreen unit is attached to the display unit, the area including the facing area and the outer area.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/907,962, filed Feb. 28, 2018, which is acontinuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/627,538,filed Jun. 20, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,933,894, which is acontinuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/015,405,filed Feb. 4, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,710,102, which is a continuationapplication of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/901,147, filed May23, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,256,308, and claims the benefit ofpriority from prior Japanese Patent Application JP 2012-126594, filedJun. 1, 2012, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated byreference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to an information processing apparatusincluding a touchscreen display, and a method of manufacturing theinformation processing apparatus.

Some information processing apparatuses such as personal computersinclude touchscreen displays. In general, a touchscreen display has thefollowing structure. A touchscreen is layered on a display. A useroperates the touchscreen while watching an image displayed on thedisplay (for example, see Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No.2008-176191.).

SUMMARY

It is desirable that a surface of a touchscreen display of aninformation processing apparatus, which is operated by a user, be highin strength. In view of this, in general, the top surface of atouchscreen display is a glass cover. However, if the top surface of atouchscreen display is a glass cover, the weight of the informationprocessing apparatus is increased, and the thickness of the touchscreendisplay is increased.

In view of the above-mentioned circumstances, it is desirable to providean information processing apparatus, which may be light in weight andsmall in size. Further, it is desirable to provide a method ofmanufacturing such an information processing apparatus.

According to an embodiment of the present technology, there is providedan information processing apparatus including a display unit and atouchscreen unit.

The display unit includes a display area, the display area beingconfigured to display an image.

The touchscreen unit includes a facing area and an outer area, thefacing area facing the display area, the outer area being outside of thefacing area.

An area of the touchscreen unit is attached to the display unit, thearea including the facing area and the outer area.

According to this structure, an information processing apparatus, whichmay be light in weight and small in size, may be provided.

The information processing apparatus may further include an exteriorunit accommodating the display unit and the touchscreen unit such thatthe facing area and the outer area of the touchscreen unit are exposed.

The information processing apparatus may further include a backlightunit arranged at a surface of the display unit, the surface beingopposite to a surface to which the touchscreen unit is attached.

The backlight unit may be arranged in an area, the area substantiallyfacing the facing area of the touchscreen unit, and a control board maybe arranged in at least a part of an area of a surface of the displayunit, the surface being opposite to the surface to which the touchscreenunit is attached, the area excluding the area occupied by the backlightunit.

The control board may be arranged in an area substantially facing theouter area.

According to an embodiment of the the present technology, there isprovided a method of manufacturing an information processing apparatus.

The method includes: forming a display unit including a surface, thesurface including a display area and a non-display area, the displayarea being configured to display an image, the non-display area beingoutside of the display area; and providing an electrode sheet on thesurface of the display unit by means of roll lamination, a predeterminedelectrode pattern being formed on the electrode sheet, to thereby form atouchscreen unit on the surface of the display unit.

According to this structure, an information processing apparatus, whichmay be light in weight and small in size, may be manufactured at lowcost by using the simple method.

As described above, according to the present technology, an informationprocessing apparatus, which may be light in weight and small in size,may be provided. Further, a method of manufacturing such an informationprocessing apparatus may be provided.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the presentdisclosure will become more apparent in light of the following detaileddescription of best mode embodiments thereof, as illustrated in theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing an information processingapparatus according to a first embodiment of the present technology, inwhich the information processing apparatus is open;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing the information processingapparatus of FIG. 1A, in which the information processing apparatus isclosed;

FIG. 2A is a plan view of a touchscreen display of the informationprocessing apparatus of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2B is a sectional view of the A-A′ line of the touchscreen displayof FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2C is a sectional view of the B-B′ line of the touchscreen displayof FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart schematically showing a method of manufacturingthe touchscreen display of FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C;

FIG. 4A is a plan view of a touchscreen display of a comparativeexample;

FIG. 4B is a sectional view of the C-C′ line of the touchscreen displayof FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4C is a sectional view of the D-D′ line of the touchscreen displayof FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart schematically showing a method of manufacturingthe touchscreen display of FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C;

FIG. 6A is a plan view of a touchscreen display of an informationprocessing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the presenttechnology;

FIG. 6B is a sectional view of the E-E′ line of the touchscreen displayof FIG. 6A;

FIG. 6C is a sectional view of the F-F′ line of the touchscreen displayof FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7A is a plan view of a touchscreen display of an informationprocessing apparatus according to a third embodiment of the presenttechnology;

FIG. 7B is a sectional view of the G-G′ line of the touchscreen displayof FIG. 7A; and

FIG. 7C is a sectional view of the H-H line of the touchscreen displayof FIG. 7A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be describedwith reference to the drawings.

First Embodiment [Entire Structure]

FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing an information processingapparatus 1 according to a first embodiment of the present technology,in which the information processing apparatus 1 is open. FIG. 1B is aperspective view showing the information processing apparatus 1 of FIG.1A, in which the information processing apparatus 1 is closed. Theinformation processing apparatus 1 is a clamshell personal computer.

The information processing apparatus 1 includes a first exterior unit 2,a second exterior unit 3, and coupling units 4. The coupling units 4couple the two exterior units 2 and 3. Each of the first exterior unit2, the second exterior unit 3, and the coupling units 4 is made of amaterial, which is difficult to deform. Examples of such a materialinclude, for example, metal materials such as aluminum, and resinmaterials such as reinforced plastic. The first exterior unit 2, thesecond exterior unit 3, and the coupling units 4 may be made of the samematerial or different materials.

The coupling unit 4 has a hinge structure. The first exterior unit 2 iscapable of rotating with respect to the second exterior unit 3 via thecoupling units 4. More specifically, the coupling unit 4 includes acylindrical connection unit 4 a and a cylindrical connection unit 4 b.The cylindrical connection unit 4 a is formed on the first exterior unit2. The cylindrical connection unit 4 b is formed on the second exteriorunit 3. The cylindrical connection unit 4 a fits the cylindricalconnection unit 4 b such that they are capable of rotating around thecentral axis. That is, the first exterior unit 2 rotates with respect tothe second exterior unit 3, whereby the information processing apparatus1 is open (FIG. 1A) and closed (FIG. 1B).

The information processing apparatus 1 includes a touchscreen display100. The first exterior unit 2 accommodates the touchscreen display 100.The touchscreen display 100 includes a display area 101 and anon-display area 102. Images are displayed on the display area 101. Thenon-display area 102 is always black.

The display area 101 and the non-display area 102 of the touchscreendisplay 100 are exposed from the first exterior unit 2. A bezel unit 2 aof the first exterior unit 2 holds the entire outer rim portion of thenon-display area 102.

The information processing apparatus 1 includes a keyboard unit 8. Thesecond exterior unit 3 accommodates the keyboard unit 8. The keyboardunit 8 includes a plurality of keys 8 a. The keyboard unit 8 includes anoperation area. In the operation area, the plurality of keys 8 a areexposed from the second exterior unit 3.

When the information processing apparatus 1 is open as shown in FIG. 1A,the touchscreen display 100 is kept upright with respect to the keyboardunit 8. When the touchscreen display 100 is upright, a user is capableof operating the touchscreen display 100 and the keyboard unit 8 whilewatching the touchscreen display 100. The user operates the touchscreendisplay 100 with his finger or with an operating device such as astylus. The user operates the keyboard unit 8 with his fingers.

The torque when the coupling units 4 rotate is set as follows. Even if auser operates and presses the touchscreen display 100, the firstexterior unit 2 does not rotate with respect to the second exterior unit3. In addition, a user is capable of opening/closing the informationprocessing apparatus 1 smoothly.

When the information processing apparatus 1 is closed as shown in FIG.1B, the touchscreen display 100 faces the keyboard unit 8. In otherwords, the first exterior unit 2 covers the touchscreen display 100, andthe second exterior unit 3 covers the keyboard unit 8. A user carries ortakes custody of the closed information processing apparatus 1. That is,when a user carries or takes custody of the information processingapparatus 1, the touchscreen display 100 or the keyboard unit 8 may notbe damaged.

[Structure of Touchscreen Display]

FIG. 2A is a plan view of the touchscreen display 100. FIG. 2B is asectional view of the A-A′ line of the touchscreen display 100 of FIG.2A. FIG. 2C is a sectional view of the B-B′ line of the touchscreendisplay 100 of FIG. 2A.

X axis, Y axis, and Z axis are shown in each of FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C. Xaxis, Y axis, and Z axis are orthogonal to each other. X axis, Y axis,and Z axis are common to FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C. Note that a user operatesthe touchscreen display 100 from the upper side in the Z axis direction.

In general, a touchscreen display is required to have a structure, withwhich a user is capable of swiping the touchscreen display comfortably.“Swipe” is an operation that a user slides his finger on a touchscreendisplay. The following is an example of swipe. When a user wishes tochange a page of a document displayed on a display unit, the user slideshis finger on the touchscreen display as if he actually turns a page ofa book. As a result, the page of the document is changed.

In view of this, the touchscreen display 100 has the followingstructure. The non-display area 102 is provided outside of the displayarea 101. The non-display area 102 is exposed from the bezel unit 2 a.The non-display area 102 is apart from the bezel unit 2 a by apredetermined distance. The display area 101 is flush with thenon-display area 102.

Because of this structure, when a user swipes the edge portion of thedisplay area 101, the user is capable of moving his finger between thenon-display area 102 and the display area 101 seamlessly. That is, whena user swipes the touchscreen, his finger does not touch the bezel unit.The user does not get a feeling of strangeness because his finger is notcaught in the bezel unit. As a result, the user achieves an improvedoperational feeling. Note that the width of the bezel unit 2 a of thefirst exterior unit 2 may be smaller. As a result, the distance betweenthe non-display area 102 and the bezel is larger.

The touchscreen display 100 includes a touchscreen 110, a liquid crystaldisplay panel 120, and a backlight unit 130. More specifically, thetouchscreen display 100 has the following structure. The touchscreen110, the liquid crystal display panel 120, and the backlight unit 130are layered from the upper side in the Z axis direction.

The touchscreen 110 is a sensor unit. The sensor unit receives anoperation from a user. The liquid crystal display panel 120 and thebacklight unit 130 are arranged at the rear side of the touchscreen 110in the Z axis direction. The liquid crystal display panel 120 and thebacklight unit 130 function as a display unit. The display unitgenerates an image displayed on the display area 101.

The entire lower surface of the touchscreen 110 in the Z axis directionis attached on the entire upper surface of the liquid crystal displaypanel 120 in the Z axis direction by using a general-purpose transparentadhesive.

Further, a metal frame 141 and a resin frame 142 mounts the backlightunit 130 on the liquid crystal display panel 120. The metal frame 141 ismade of a metal material such as aluminum, and has a predeterminedshape. The resin frame 142 is made of a resin material such as plastic,and has a predetermined shape.

The touchscreen display 100 includes a control board 126. The controlboard 126 controls a touchscreen unit including the touchscreen 110, andthe display unit including the liquid crystal display panel 120 and thebacklight unit 130. The control board 126 is connected to a main board(not shown). Electronic components of the information processingapparatus 1 such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) are mounted on themain board.

[Structure of Touchscreen]

The touchscreen 110 includes a first electrode sheet 116 and a secondelectrode sheet 114. The pattern of the first electrodes 116 a is formedon the first electrode sheet 116. The pattern of the second electrodes114 a is formed on the second electrode sheet 114. A film-typetransparent flexible sheet is used as a base material of each of theelectrode sheets 116, 114.

The first electrodes 116 a on the first electrode sheet 116 has thefollowing structure. A plurality of stripe-shaped electrodes, which runin the X axis direction, are arrayed in the Y axis direction. Further,the second electrodes 114 a on the second electrode sheet 114 has thefollowing structure. A plurality of stripe-shaped electrodes, which runin the Y axis direction, are arrayed in the X axis direction. The firstelectrode sheet 116 and the second electrode sheet 114 structure across-matrix capacitative element.

A first extraction pattern 116 b is extracted from the electrodes 116 a.The first extraction pattern 116 b is formed on an area on the firstelectrode sheet 116, which corresponds to the non-display area 102.Similarly, a second extraction pattern 114 b is extracted from theelectrodes 114 a. The second extraction pattern 114 b is formed on anarea on the second electrode sheet 114, which corresponds to thenon-display area 102.

The extraction pattern 116 b is connected to the control board 126 via aflexible printed circuit board 116 c. The extraction pattern 114 b isconnected to the control board 126 via a flexible printed circuit board114 c. Because of this, the capacitative element, which includes thefirst electrode sheet 116 and the second electrode sheet 114, is capableof sending/receiving signals to/from the control board 126.

Further, the touchscreen 110 includes a protective sheet 111. Theprotective sheet 111 is an uppermost layer, which receives operations bya user. The protective sheet 111 is structured as follows. A hardcoating layer, a low-reflection layer, and an anti-glare layer areapplied on a PET (Polyethylene terephthalate) base material. Anytransparent material is used as a base material of the protective sheet111 instead of PET.

A light-shielding layer 112 is formed on the rear side of an area of theprotective sheet 111 in the Z axis direction, which corresponds to thenon-display area 102. Because of this, the touchscreen display 100 hasthe following structure. A user is not capable of seeing the structureof the non-display area 102 below the protective sheet 111 in the Z axisdirection. That is, the entire surface of the non-display area 102 looksblack to a user.

An adhesive layer 115 bonds the first electrode sheet 116 and the secondelectrode sheet 114. An adhesive layer 113 bonds the second electrodesheet 114 and the protective sheet 111. A general-purpose transparentadhesive may be used as the adhesive layer 115 or 113.

In general, a cover glass is attached on the uppermost surface of atouchscreen. Because of this, the touchscreen may be handled alone, andthe surface strength of the touchscreen may be increased. Meanwhile, asdescribed above, the touchscreen 110 of this embodiment includes nocover glass. The touchscreen 110 of this embodiment includes the firstelectrode sheet 116, the second electrode sheet 114, and the protectivesheet 111. The first electrode sheet 116, the second electrode sheet114, and the protective sheet 111 are flexible sheets.

Because of this, the touchscreen 110 is thinner and lighter in weightthan a general touchscreen. However, the touchscreen 110 is flexible,and it is difficult to handle the touchscreen 110 alone. Because ofthis, the touchscreen 110 is not handled alone. The touchscreen 110 ismanufactured by a below-described method.

[Structure of Liquid Crystal Display Panel]

The liquid crystal display panel 120 includes a liquid crystal glasscell. The liquid crystal glass cell includes a color filter board 122, adrive board 124, and a liquid crystal layer 123. The drive board 124faces the color filter board 122 in the Z axis direction, and is belowthe color filter board 122. The liquid crystal layer 123 is sandwichedbetween the color filter board 122 and the drive board 124. Apolarization sheet 121 is provided on the upper surface of the colorfilter board 122 in the Z axis direction.

A polarization sheet 125 is provided on the lower surface of the driveboard 124 in the Z axis direction. The polarizing axis of thepolarization sheet 121 is orthogonal to the polarizing axis of thepolarization sheet 125.

A glass is used as a base material of each of the color filter board 122and the drive board 124. Alternatively, any material having apredetermined transparency and a predetermined mechanical strength maybe used. Examples of such a base material include, for example, acrylicand polycarbonate.

A color filter layer 122 a is formed on an area of the lower surface ofthe color filter board 122 in the Z axis direction. The area is slightlylarger than the area corresponding to the display area 101. The colorfilter layer 122 a includes red color filters, green color filters, bluecolor filters, and black color filters. The red color filters, the greencolor filters, the blue color filters, and the black color filters arearrayed at a predetermined pattern. A light-shielding layer 122 b isformed on an area of the lower surface of the color filter board 122 inthe Z axis direction. The area is outside of the color filter layer 122a.

The drive board 124 includes TFTs (Thin Film Transistors). A TFT isarranged for each pixel of the liquid crystal glass cell. The driveboard 124 changes orientation of the liquid crystal layer 123 dependingon the driving status of each TFT. The intensity of light, whichtransmits the polarization sheet 121, out of the light, which hastransmitted the polarization sheet 125, depends on the orientation ofthe liquid crystal layer 123.

The liquid crystal display panel 120 includes two boards 122, 124 eachhaving a predetermined mechanical strength. Because of this, the liquidcrystal display panel 120 alone has a predetermined mechanical strength.As described above, the upper surface of the liquid crystal displaypanel 120 in the Z axis direction is bonded to the entire lower surfaceof the touchscreen 110 in the Z axis direction. Because of this, theliquid crystal display panel 120 fixes the entire lower surface of theflexible touchscreen 110 in the Z axis direction. As a result, theplate-like shape of the touchscreen 110 is maintained.

[Structure of Backlight Unit and Control Board]

The backlight unit 130 includes an optical prism sheet 132, an opticaldiffusion sheet 131, a reflection sheet 133, and an LED (Light-EmittingDiode) unit 134. The optical diffusion sheet 131 is provided on theupper surface of the optical prism sheet 132 in the Z axis direction.The reflection sheet 133 is provided on the lower surface of the opticalprism sheet 132 in the Z axis direction. The LED (Light-Emitting Diode)unit 134 is adjacent to the optical prism sheet 132 in the Y axisdirection.

The LED unit 134 includes a plurality of LEDs in the X axis direction.The LED unit 134 emits light to the optical prism sheet 132. Lightenters the optical prism sheet 132, and the light is superimposed in theoptical prism sheet 132, whereby the light is homogenized. In addition,the light is reflected by the reflection sheet 133, transmits theoptical diffusion sheet 131, and enters the liquid crystal display panel120.

The optical prism sheet 132 is provided on an area slightly larger thanan area of the backlight unit 130, which corresponds to the display area101. As a result, the backlight unit 130 is capable of positivelyemitting light in the area corresponding to the display area 101. Theliquid crystal display panel 120 is provided on the entire areaincluding the display area 101 and the non-display area 102. Because ofthis, space is provided at a position, which is adjacent to thebacklight unit 130 in the X axis direction and the Y axis direction.

The control board 126 is mounted at a position, which is adjacent to thebacklight unit 130 in the Y axis direction. More specifically, thecontrol board 126 is attached to a position of the rear side of theliquid crystal display panel 120 in the Z axis direction. The positioncorresponds to the non-display area 102, and the backlight unit 130 isnot arranged at the position. the control board 126 is attached via theresin frame 142.

The control board 126 is inside the non-display area 102 in the X axisdirection and the Y axis direction. The uppermost surface of the controlboard 126 is upper than the uppermost surface of the backlight unit 130in the Z axis direction. As described above, the touchscreen display 100of this embodiment has the following structure. The control board 126 isarranged in the space adjacent to the backlight unit 130. As a result,the entire touchscreen display 100 may be downsized.

According to this embodiment, the control board 126 is configured tocontrol all the touchscreen 110, the liquid crystal display panel 120,and the backlight unit 130. Alternatively, each of the touchscreen 110,the liquid crystal display panel 120, and the backlight unit 130 mayhave an independent control unit. In this case, the control units may beprovided in addition to the control board 126. The control units may beprovided in a space of FIG. 2B, which is adjacent to the backlight unit130 in the X axis direction.

[Method of Manufacturing Touchscreen Display]

FIG. 3 is a flowchart schematically showing a method of manufacturingthe touchscreen display 100. According to the method of manufacturingthe touchscreen display 100, roll lamination is positively used. Theroll lamination is known as a low-cost and easy process. Because ofthis, the touchscreen display 100 may be manufactured at low cost.

In the roll lamination, a roll sheet is used. The roll sheet is a rollof sheet to be bonded. First, a sheet is pulled out of a roll sheet, andthe sheet covers a to-be-bonded surface. Then, squeegee process isperformed such that the sheet closely attaches the to-be-bonded surface.The sheet is cut, and the sheet has the size of the to-be-bondedsurface. Note that, if the sheet is not adhesive, an adhesive layer isprovided between the sheet and the to-be-bonded surface.

According to this embodiment, first, the polarization sheets 121, 125are attached to the both surfaces of the liquid crystal glass cell bymeans of roll lamination. The liquid crystal glass cell includes thecolor filter board 122, the liquid crystal layer 123, and the driveboard 124. As a result, the liquid crystal display panel 120 ismanufactured.

The pattern of the first electrodes 116 a is formed on a transparentsheet, whereby the first electrode sheet 116 is manufactured. Thepattern of the second electrodes 114 a is formed on a transparent sheet,whereby the second electrode sheet 114 is manufactured. The firstelectrode sheet 116 is attached to the liquid crystal display panel 120via an adhesive layer 117 by means of roll lamination. Then, the secondelectrode sheet 114 is attached to the first electrode sheet 116 via theadhesive layer 115 by means of roll lamination.

Further, the protective sheet 111 is attached to the second electrodesheet 114 via the adhesive layer 113 by means of roll lamination. Notethat the light-shielding layer 112 is previously formed on theprotective sheet 111.

As described above, the touchscreen 110 is formed on the upper surfaceof the liquid crystal display panel 120 in the Z axis direction.According to the method of this embodiment, the flexible touchscreen 110may be formed on the liquid crystal display panel 120, while theflexible touchscreen 110 is not handled alone and the form of thetouchscreen 110 is constant.

Next, the backlight unit 130 and the control board 126 are mounted onthe liquid crystal display panel 120 by using the metal frame 141 andthe resin frame 142. Then, flexible printed circuit boards 127, 116 c,114 c are attached. Note that the backlight unit 130, the control board126, and the flexible printed circuit boards 127, 116 c, 114 c may bemounted before manufacturing the touchscreen 110.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE

FIG. 4A is a plan view showing a touchscreen display 200 according to acomparative example of this embodiment. FIG. 4B is a sectional view ofthe C-C′ line of the touchscreen display 200 of FIG. 4A. FIG. 4C is asectional view of the D-D′ line of the touchscreen display 200 of FIG.4A. The touchscreen display 200 has the structure similar to thestructure of the touchscreen display 100 of this embodiment except forthe following structure.

A touchscreen 210 and a liquid crystal display panel 220 areindividually manufactured. After that, the touchscreen 210 is attachedto the liquid crystal display panel 220 via an adhesive layer 217. As aresult, the touchscreen display 200 is manufactured. The touchscreen 210is formed as a single element. Because of this, the touchscreen 210 as asingle element is required to have a higher mechanical strength. In viewof this, a cover glass 218 is provided between a protective sheet 211and a second electrode sheet 214. As a result, even if the touchscreen210 is handled alone, the form of the touchscreen 210 is constant.

Note that, in the touchscreen display 200, a light-shielding layer 212of a non-display area 202 is provided not on the protective sheet 211but on the lower surface of the cover glass 218 in the Z axis direction.

Because the cover glass 218 is heavy, the touchscreen 210 is likely tobend. The touchscreen 210 generates signals. When the touchscreen 210bends, the signals are likely to include noise.

The larger the area of the touchscreen display 200 in the XY plane, themore the touchscreen 210 bends. Specifically, if the touchscreen display200 is applied to a clamshell personal computer, the touchscreen 210 islikely to bend. This is because the size of the touchscreen display 200is equal to or more than 10 inches.

In view of this, the adhesive layer 217 is required to have highstiffness in order that the touchscreen 210 does not bend. Thetouchscreen 210 is attached to the liquid crystal display panel 220 viathe adhesive layer 217.

The touchscreen 210 may be attached to the liquid crystal display panel220 by means of UV curing adhesion using UV (ultraviolet) resin or bymeans of vacuum bonding using an optical adhesive sheet. As a result,the adhesive layer 217 having high stiffness is manufactured. However,each of both methods is a special adhesion method, which requires timeand cost.

Meanwhile, the touchscreen 110 of this embodiment includes no heavycomponent such as a cover glass. Because of this, the adhesive layer 117is not required to have high stiffness. The touchscreen 110 is attachedto the liquid crystal display panel 120 via the adhesive layer 117.Because of this, the touchscreen 110 may be easily attached to theliquid crystal display panel 120 at low cost by using a general method.

Note that, in the touchscreen display 200, the form of the touchscreen210 may be constant because of the cover glass 218. Because of this, theliquid crystal display panel 220 is not formed in an area below thenon-display area 202 in the Z axis direction of the touchscreen 210.

Meanwhile, according to the touchscreen display 100 of this embodiment,the liquid crystal display panel 120 is formed in the entire displayarea 101 and the entire non-display area 102. Because of this, theliquid crystal display panel 120 of the touchscreen display 100 isrelatively larger than the liquid crystal display panel 220 of thetouchscreen display 200.

The weight of the touchscreen display 100 is increased because theliquid crystal display panel 120 is larger. However, the weight of thetouchscreen display 100 is decreased because a cover glass is notprovided. The decrease in weight is larger than the increase in weight.Because of this, the touchscreen display 100 is relatively lighter inweight than the touchscreen display 200.

If a touchscreen display is applied to a clamshell informationprocessing apparatus and is used, a touchscreen display is upright asshown in FIG. 1A. Because of this, if a touchscreen display is heavy,especially when a first exterior unit, which accommodates thetouchscreen display, is reclined behind the rear surface of a secondexterior unit, the first exterior unit may fall toward the rear surfaceside.

Further, if a touchscreen display is heavy, the coupling units 4 arelikely to rotate because of the weight of the touchscreen display. Inview of this, the torque of the coupling units 4 should be large inorder that the coupling units 4 are not likely to rotate. As a result,it is difficult for a user to open/close the information processingapparatus.

As described above, a touchscreen display light in weight is effectiveespecially in a case where the touchscreen display is used in aclamshell information processing apparatus.

Further, according to the touchscreen display 200 of the comparativeexample, a control board 226 is arranged below a backlight unit 230 inthe Z axis direction. As a result, because the control board 226 isprovided, the thickness of the touchscreen display 200 is increased bythe height of the control board 226 in the Z axis direction.

Meanwhile, according to the touchscreen display 100 of this embodiment,as described above, the control board 126 is arranged in the spaceadjacent to the backlight unit 130. As a result, the thickness of thetouchscreen display 100 may be smaller than the thickness of thetouchscreen display 200.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a method of manufacturing the touchscreendisplay 200 according to the comparative example.

First, polarization sheets 221, 225 are attached to both surfaces of aliquid crystal glass cell by means of roll lamination. The liquidcrystal glass cell includes a color filter board 222, a liquid crystallayer 223, and a drive board 224. As a result, the liquid crystaldisplay panel 220 is manufactured.

The pattern of the first electrodes 216 a is formed on a transparentsheet, whereby the first electrode sheet 216 is manufactured. Thepattern of the second electrodes 214 a is formed on a transparent sheet,whereby the second electrode sheet 214 is manufactured.

The protective sheet 211 and the light-shielding layer 212 arepreviously formed on the cover glass 218. The second electrode sheet 214is attached to the cover glass 218 via an adhesive layer 213 by means ofroll lamination. Then, the first electrode sheet 216 is attached to thesecond electrode sheet 214 via an adhesive layer 215 by means of rolllamination.

As described above, the touchscreen 210 of the touchscreen display 200is manufactured as a single element. This is different from thetouchscreen 110 of this embodiment.

Then, the touchscreen 210 is attached to the liquid crystal displaypanel 220 by means of the above-mentioned UV curing adhesion using UVresin or by means of the above-mentioned vacuum bonding using an opticaladhesive sheet.

Next, the backlight unit 230 and the control board 226 are mounted onthe liquid crystal display panel 220 by using a metal frame 241 and aresin frame 242. Then, flexible printed circuit boards 227, 216 c, 214 care attached.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 6A is a plan view showing a touchscreen display 300 according to asecond embodiment of the present technology. FIG. 6B is a sectional viewof the E-E′ line of the touchscreen display 300 of FIG. 6A. FIG. 6C is asectional view of the F-F′ line of the touchscreen display 300 of FIG.6A. The touchscreen display 300 has the structure similar to thestructure of the touchscreen display 100 of this embodiment except forthe following structure.

In the touchscreen display 300, first electrodes 316 a and a firstextraction pattern 316 b are directly formed on the upper surface of acolor filter board 322 of a liquid crystal glass cell in the Z axisdirection. Further, a protective sheet 315 is formed on the uppersurface of the color filter board 322 in the Z axis direction. Theprotective sheet 315 covers the first electrodes 316 a and the firstextraction pattern 316 b. Second electrodes 314 a and a secondextraction pattern 314 b are formed on the upper surface of theprotective sheet 315 in the Z axis direction.

Further, a protective sheet 314 is formed on the upper surface of theprotective sheet 315 in the Z axis direction. The protective sheet 314covers the second electrodes 314 a and the second extraction pattern 314b. A polarization sheet 321 is formed on the upper surface of theprotective sheet 314 in the Z axis direction.

As described above, the on-cell first electrodes 316 a of a touchscreen310 may be formed. In this case, a liquid crystal display panel 320includes a liquid crystal glass cell and polarization sheets 325, 321.The liquid crystal glass cell includes the color filter board 322, aliquid crystal layer 323, and a drive board 324. As described above, theelectrodes 316 a, 314 a of the touchscreen 310 may be formed on theupper surface of the liquid crystal glass cell of the liquid crystaldisplay panel 320 in the Z axis direction.

Note that, according to this embodiment, the on-cell electrodes areformed on the upper surface of the liquid crystal glass cell in the Zaxis direction. Alternatively, a first electrode sheet and a secondelectrode sheet may be attached to the upper surface of the liquidcrystal glass cell in the Z axis direction by means of roll laminationsimilar to the first embodiment. In this case, a polarization sheet ofthe liquid crystal display panel may be attached to the upper surface ofthe second electrode sheet in the Z axis direction by means of rolllamination.

Third Embodiment

FIG. 7A is a plan view showing a touchscreen display 400 according to athird embodiment of the present technology. FIG. 7B is a sectional viewof the G-G′ line of the touchscreen display 400 of FIG. 7A. FIG. 7C is asectional view of the H-H′ line of the touchscreen display 400 of FIG.7A. The touchscreen display 400 has the structure similar to thestructure of the touchscreen display 100 of this embodiment except forthe following structure.

In the touchscreen display 400, a liquid crystal display panel 420 isprovided below a display area 401 and an area slightly outside of thedisplay area 401. In other words, the liquid crystal display panel 420is provided below the display area 401 and a part of a non-display area402. More specifically, in the touchscreen display 400, the liquidcrystal display panel 420 does not fix the most part of the lowersurface of a touchscreen 410 in the Z axis direction in the non-displayarea 402. This is different from the touchscreen display 100 of thefirst embodiment.

Alternatively, the touchscreen display 400 is structured as follows. Aresin frame 442 as a fixing unit fixes an area of the lower surface ofthe touchscreen 410 in the Z axis direction. The area is not fixed onthe liquid crystal display panel 420. In this manner, one of the liquidcrystal display panel 420 and the resin frame 442 fixes a part of thelower surface of the touchscreen 410 in the Z axis direction. The otherfixes the other part of the lower surface of the touchscreen 410. Inother words, the liquid crystal display panel 420 and the resin frame442 fix the entire lower surface of the touchscreen 410. As a result,the touchscreen 410 is held flat.

Further, the touchscreen 110 of the first embodiment includes the twoelectrode sheets. However, the touchscreen 410 of this embodimentincludes one electrode sheet 414. A first electrode pattern 416 a and afirst extraction pattern 416 b are formed on the lower surface of theelectrode sheet 414 in the Z axis direction. A second electrode pattern414 a and a second extraction pattern 414 b are formed on the uppersurface of the electrode sheet 414 in the Z axis direction.

The number of electrode sheets is not two but one. As a result, thenumber of components is reduced, and the manufacturing process issimple. As a result, the cost of the touchscreen display 400 may bedecreased.

The embodiments of the present technology have been described above. Thepresent technology is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments. Asa matter of course, various changes may be made within the gist of thepresent technology.

For example, according to the embodiments of the present technology, aliquid crystal display including a liquid crystal display panel and abacklight unit is described as an example of a display unit. The displayunit may be another general-purpose display unit. Note that the displayunit may be of a thin type. Examples of such a display unit include, forexample, a plasma display, an organic EL (electro luminescence) display,and an inorganic EL display.

Note that the present technology may employ the following structures.

(1) An information processing apparatus, comprising:

a display unit including a display area, the display area beingconfigured to display an image; and

a touchscreen unit including a facing area and an outer area, the facingarea facing the display area, the outer area being outside of the facingarea, wherein

an area of the touchscreen unit is attached to the display unit, thearea including the facing area and the outer area.

(2) The information processing apparatus according to (1), furthercomprising:

an exterior unit accommodating the display unit and the touchscreen unitsuch that the facing area and the outer area of the touchscreen unit isexposed.

(3) The information processing apparatus according to (2), furthercomprising:

a backlight unit arranged at a surface of the display unit, the surfacebeing opposite to a surface to which the touchscreen unit is attached.

(4) The information processing apparatus according to (3), wherein

the backlight unit is arranged in an area, the area substantially facingthe facing area of the touchscreen unit, and

a control board is arranged in at least a part of an area of a surfaceof the display unit, the surface being opposite to the surface to whichthe touchscreen unit is attached, the area excluding the area occupiedby the backlight unit.

(5) The information processing apparatus according to (4), wherein

the control board is arranged in an area substantially facing the outerarea.

(6) A method of manufacturing an information processing apparatus,comprising:

forming a display unit including a surface, the surface including adisplay area and a non-display area, the display area being configuredto display an image, the non-display area being outside of the displayarea; and

providing an electrode sheet on the surface of the display unit by meansof roll lamination, a predetermined electrode pattern being formed onthe electrode sheet, to thereby form a touchscreen unit on the surfaceof the display unit.

It should be understood by those skilled in the art that variousmodifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alterations may occurdepending on design requirements and other factors insofar as they arewithin the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. An information processing apparatus, comprising: a display unit including a display area, the display area being configured to display an image; and a touchscreen unit including a facing area and an outer area, the facing area facing the display area, the outer area being outside of the facing area, wherein an area of the touchscreen unit is attached to the display unit, the area including the facing area and the outer area. 